Campbell confirms discussions regarding possible Senate and board appointment for Rowe, says no offer of $15m

People’s National Party (PNP) General Secretary Dr Dayton Campbell has confirmed that “discussions” were held with ousted Kingston Central caretaker Lawrence Rowe regarding the “possibility” of him being appointed to the Senate and a state board under a future PNP government.

Rowe, who resigned from the party yesterday after he was replaced by retired Senior Superintendent of Police Steve McGregor on Sunday, had made social media posts suggesting that he was forced out amid a breakdown in negotiations involving a promised $15 million in resources, a board appointment to a state housing agency, and a seat in the Senate.

The PNP had responded, saying that Rowe’s claims were “spurious”.

However, speaking with Emily Shields, the host of Radio Jamaica’s call-in programme Hotline, today, Campbell admitted that some of Rowe’s claims were discussed by the PNP.

Campbell responded “yes” to Shields’ question of whether there was agreement from the leadership of the PNP on a proposal for a Senate and board appointment for Rowe.

However, Campbell said Rowe was told that “there is no possibility for financial compensation”.

“I had a discussion with him… if he would want to be employed in a future PNP government. Obviously, persons, there are employment opportunities in the country and, once the person is competent, they can be employed in different capacities, but to say that there is an offer of $15 million, whether in cash or resources, no,” the PNP General Secretary stated.

Campbell also insisted there was nothing improper about the discussions surrounding Rowe’s possible appointment to the Senate.

“To say we have discussed it and this is a possibility because this person does have the capacity to serve there, I can’t fathom how that can be something untoward,” Campbell argued.

In a statement yesterday, National Integrity Action (NIA) said the situation underscored the importance of implementing robust anti-bribery measures to ensure transparency and integrity in the country’s political system.

“If these statements are factual, the offer to Rowe would continue, instead of reject, one of the most damaging features of Jamaica’s politics and governance,” NIA said.

The organisation highlighted that positions of authority in ministries, departments, and agencies, and on the boards of public bodies are often given as rewards for party loyalty or contributions to election campaigns.

Similarly, the organisation stated, the appointment of persons to the Senate should not have, as a primary consideration, failure to win or be nominated for a seat in the House of Representatives, as has often been the case in the past.

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